Saluting a hero: Hundreds in uniform pay tribute to Cawley

ROY — Staff Sgt. James W. Cawley was remembered Thursday as a unique hero, a Marine who died protecting the weak from oppression but whose tough exterior hid a heart as soft as the babies he loved.

Cawley, 41, was killed March 29 during a firefight near the Iraqi city of Nasiriyah when he was struck by a coalition Humvee. He was the first Utahn killed in the Iraq war.

As he was laid to rest in the Roy City Cemetery, military and police traditions converged. Cawley was a member of the Salt Lake City Police Department SWAT team, as well as a Marine Reservist, so hundreds of uniformed members of the armed forces and police officers attended the services, as did hundreds of friends, family members and other mourners.

Four military helicopters flew slowly over the cemetery, bagpipes and drums played "Amazing Grace," and an F-16 from nearby Hill Air Force Base arched above.

Police and military members stood at attention, saluting as two Marines folded the American flag that had draped Cawley's casket and presented it to his wife, Miyuki. She sat beneath a canopy with their children, Cecil, 8, and Keiko, 6, and relatives, some of whom traveled from Okinawa and Tokyo.

The haunting notes of "Taps" floated above the silent crowd and the flags erected throughout the cemetery.

Cawley was saluted by three volleys of rifles firing blanks. Then police officers intoned a "last call," going through the call signs of members of his SWAT team.

"Sierra 15," called the dispatcher. "Sierra 15," responded that officer, indicating his presence. The calling and responses continued until "Sierra 21," which represented Cawley.

"Sierra 21," repeated the dispatcher. "This is the last call for Sierra 21, Officer James Cawley . . . ."

At least 1,700 attended the funeral at the Bountiful Regional Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Talks emphasized Cawley's strength, intelligence, humor, interest in classical music and poetry, and the drive that made him excel in his police and military duties.

"When such a friend from us departs, we hold forever in our hearts a sweet and hallowed memory," said Elder Bruce D. Porter of the church's First Quorum of the Seventy. "I know that memory will burn like flame in your hearts forever," he told the family.

"I bring you the condolences and love" of the First Presidency, he added.